President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday unveiled the newly
reconstructed Institute of Maternal And Child Health popularly known as Ayinke
House located within the premises of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
(LASUTH) in Ikeja, describing it as a critical and timely intervention by the
State Government in the health sector.
Ayinke House, which is Nigeria’s biggest Maternity Hospital,
was upgraded from an 80-bed facility to a 170-bed healthcare centre with
state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as information technology services.
Aside the entourage of the President which included
Ministers and Special Advisers, Governors of Ogun (Ibikunle Amosu ), Oyo
(Abiola Ajimobi), Ondo (Oluwarotimi Akeredolu), Ekiti (Kayode Fayemi), Jubrila
Bindow, Adamawa, Acting Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu; Lagos State
Governor-Elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Oba of
Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, among others were in attendance.
The President, who landed at the Presidential Wing of
Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja at about 10: 45am, arrived at
Ayinke House about 15 minutes later, after which he unveiled the project, and
also embarked on comprehensive tour of the facility.
Speaking at the event, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode described the development as historic, expressing optimism that the
facility would provide world class childbirth and maternal care services to
Lagosians and Nigerians at large.
Recalling how the journey began, Governor Ambode said the
facility was commissioned exactly 29 years ago, with the late businessman and
philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony donating the first dedicated maternal
and child care facility to the State Government, in memory of his mother; hence
the christened name “Ayinke House”.
He said the hospital, which started with just one surgical
theatre soon assumed a life of its own as a first-class childbirth and maternal
care centre in the health sector of Nigeria as well as first choice for
expectant mothers.
However, the Governor said the hospital later became
over-stretched beyond capacity and somehow obsolete, while in recognition of
the need to sustain Bank-Anthony’s philanthropy, the State Government, during
the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola who is now the Minister
of Power, Works and Housing, awarded the contract for the expansion and
reconstruction of the facility.
“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the
new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with 5 surgical theatres. It has a 16-bed
emergency care units with 3 organ support facilities, 30 bed special baby care
unit, 5 neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with
support services, laboratories and a blood bank.
“Beyond the significance for the health sector, this
institute is a major contribution to our education sector also; as it becomes a
veritable platform for our medical students in the State University to enhance
their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided,”
Governor Ambode said, just as he revealed that Ayinke House had also been
completely digitalised with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as
information technology services supported by the State Ministry of Science and
Technology.
He said in view of President Buhari’s determination of
making universal and basic primary healthcare as one of the cardinal priorities
of his administration, the State Government, under him, had consciously worked
to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to all our citizenry, among
other initiatives in the health sector.
“Just last year, we launched the Lagos State Health
Insurance scheme to allow residents access top quality medical care with a
little contribution and support from the State government.
“These and other efforts are directed at improving the lives
of our people, especially the women and children; and by extension the
productivity of our nation,” he said.
While congratulating President Buhari on his resounding
victory at the recent presidential election, Governor Ambode thanked him for
finding time to personally commission Ayinke House and other projects in the
State, adding that the completion of the projects would not have been possible
without the President’s support, administrative direction and encouragement.
Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Management and Staff
of the State’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, LASUTH
as well as contractors for working round the clock and their enthusiasm in
getting the project completed.
Similarly, the President also commissioned the 500-seater Lagos
Theatre in Oregun, Ikeja. The ultra modern theatre is one of the four
simultaneously constructed by the Ambode administration to increase arts spaces
and create standard platforms for talented citizens of the State to showcase
their skills.
The President who arrived the venue at exactly 11:30am was
treated to a live dance performance by a young group of talented artist before
taking his leave.
The Governor said the three other theatres with the same
specifications are also ready for commissioning in Igando, Badagry and Epe.
The prophetic hall of fame and Ambassador of peace, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has castigated the Northern people, especially the Fulanis for always travelling and entering other states with arms.
The prophet of the nation who outrightly condemned the killing of Northern people in Uromi also enunciated that it’s wrong for the Northern people to invade other states with arms based on the tensed security threat the nation is facing at the moment “I want to condemn the killing in Uromi because nobody has the right to take another person’s life,they should have been handed over to the security operatives, the killing in cruel and barbaric,but it’s wrong for the Northern people to keep invading other states with arms, the rate of insecurity in the nation is high, anyone seen with a gun is dreadful and harmful,Fulani Herdsmen have perpetuated so much heinous and callous act for people to be apprehensive of their presence,my in Law was a victim of their heinous act,they assaulted her in her farmland,their presence with arms is really terrifying and it’s making farmers to desert their farmlands, prompting food scarcity ”
The prophet of the nation advised the government to take a proper look at the possession of arms by these men and reiterated that the North is big enough for thousands of hunters and herdsmen to explore “travelling to other states with arms is not good, the North has got the largest landmass in the country,why leave the North to other states with little Landmass , the North is very massive, it’s very obvious that their is hidden agenda,why will someone leave a river to look for fish in a swimming pool, the government need to look at these area critically,arms should be prohibited, anyone that is not a security operative shouldn’t be seen with arms ”
Citizens for Democratic Watch (CDW), a pro-democracy group, has condemned the appointment of administrators for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State by the sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, describing it as “a dangerous abuse of power and a direct attack on the constitution”.
This latest action, which came just 24 hours after a federal high court restrained Ibas from making such appointments, has triggered widespread concern over what CDW calls “the rapid erosion of democratic institutions under the guise of emergency governance”.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dr Hassan Dantani, Executive Director of CDW, called on President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene before the situation spirals out of control.
“Appointing 23 sole administrators in clear defiance of a federal court order is not only unlawful — it is tyrannical,” Dantani said.
“No state of emergency gives anyone the license to override the judiciary, erase local governance, and act above the law. This must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Dantani noted that the local government system is a constitutionally recognised tier of government, and any attempt to run it without democratic structures sets a very dangerous precedent.
“This action by Ibok-Ete Ibas is a grave violation of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the system of democratically elected local government councils,” he said.
“Our democracy cannot function if unelected individuals are imposed to run local governments under military-style appointments.”
CDW warned that if allowed to stand, the appointments could embolden future political actors to trample on the rule of law and weaken the judiciary.
“The blatant disregard for a valid court order should alarm every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation,” Dantani said.
“When leaders ignore court rulings and impose their will, what remains of the rule of law? If we allow this to stand in Rivers, it could happen anywhere else.”
The group called on the National Assembly to urgently summon the Rivers sole administrator to explain his actions and ensure that all constitutional boundaries are respected.
“We urge the Senate and House of Representatives to treat this matter as a priority,” he added.
“Democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of expediency or political convenience.”
Dantani concluded by demanding the immediate reversal of the LGA appointments and a return to constitutional order.
“The people of Rivers State deserve legitimate, elected representation — not handpicked appointees. We must not normalise authoritarian shortcuts in a democratic society,” the group warned.
The prophetic hall of fame and Ambassador of peace, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has warned the governor of Benue state,Rev.Fr.Hyacinth Alia of the dangers and consequences of neglecting and being obstinate to George Akume,the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that made him relevant by making him the governor.
Prophet Ikuru warned governor Alia of the dangers of “fighting” with Akume, urging him to respect his priesthood and not behave like a politician “this thing has been a very serious problem in Nigerian political scene,if you support someone and make him a governor, senator or help him to attain any political position, immediately the person grabs power,he becomes obstinate and neglects the person that aided him to attain that seat, governor Alia is not the first to do such,but I’m disappointed that a priest like governor Alia could do this,I want to advise him to respect the anointing of God upon his life and not behave not behave like the normal politicians that are full of ingratitude because only a foolish man drinks and throws away the cup”.
There has been reports of rivalry between Akume and Alia over political control of the state.The face-off was said to have started shortly after the governor was sworn in two years ago.
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